Looking to Purchase Preowned G need advice
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 33
Likes: 1
From: Boston
2014 ML 350, 2007 S550, 2016 GLE 350
Looking to Purchase Preowned G need advice
Hello, and thenk you in advance, Been driving mercedes since 1989, never owned a G class but just about every other model, Need to get it out of my system
Looking for the Nostalgia and the experience without breaking the bank, not concerned with all the new tech, Sattelite and Bluetooth is all i need, With that being said
2003-2006 seems to be the hit zone in years, any thoughts on my choice as I would be using this as a daily and most likley would keep forever.....
looking forward to any advice
Looking for the Nostalgia and the experience without breaking the bank, not concerned with all the new tech, Sattelite and Bluetooth is all i need, With that being said
2003-2006 seems to be the hit zone in years, any thoughts on my choice as I would be using this as a daily and most likley would keep forever.....
looking forward to any advice
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2025
Posts: 52
Likes: 21
Buy a 2003-2006 G500. The engine is simple and tough. Rust is the only thing that kills them. It drives like an old tractor, but if you love it, that's the charm. Find the cleanest body you can, everything else is fixable.
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2025
Posts: 784
Likes: 249
From: USA
Hello, and thenk you in advance, Been driving mercedes since 1989, never owned a G class but just about every other model, Need to get it out of my system
Looking for the Nostalgia and the experience without breaking the bank, not concerned with all the new tech, Sattelite and Bluetooth is all i need, With that being said
2003-2006 seems to be the hit zone in years, any thoughts on my choice as I would be using this as a daily and most likley would keep forever.....
looking forward to any advice
Looking for the Nostalgia and the experience without breaking the bank, not concerned with all the new tech, Sattelite and Bluetooth is all i need, With that being said
2003-2006 seems to be the hit zone in years, any thoughts on my choice as I would be using this as a daily and most likley would keep forever.....
looking forward to any advice
Junior Member
Joined: May 2025
Posts: 63
Likes: 11
2002 G500
I just bought my 2002 G500 last June. PO took good care of the vehicle, but as both Gazam and Alexie emphasized, rust is the main issue with the 20+ year old G wagons. Mine has some rust on it, but mostly on the bottom of door panels.
I did extensive work on my vehicle myself and it is not too bad to work on if you are mechanically inclined to work on the car, by all means, older years are a lot simpler to work on, and M113 engine will last as long as you take good care of it.
It does drive like a solid axle truck, so if you are looking for cushy ride, forget the G. I came from Lexus GX460 and yes, this thing rides like a truck. Ride might slightly contribute to the fact that I have original shocks on mine with 142,000 mi, so I am planning to replace all four shocks this weekend.
Good luck.
I did extensive work on my vehicle myself and it is not too bad to work on if you are mechanically inclined to work on the car, by all means, older years are a lot simpler to work on, and M113 engine will last as long as you take good care of it.
It does drive like a solid axle truck, so if you are looking for cushy ride, forget the G. I came from Lexus GX460 and yes, this thing rides like a truck. Ride might slightly contribute to the fact that I have original shocks on mine with 142,000 mi, so I am planning to replace all four shocks this weekend.
Good luck.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 33
Likes: 1
From: Boston
2014 ML 350, 2007 S550, 2016 GLE 350
I initally was lookiong at pre- 2002 as the older ones are a bit wider in the door panel, but the spike in cost is substantiaL, I am fine with the truck feel and have driven a few before, im 6'2 250 so i might look into moving deat back 2-3 inches to increase legroom as i understand there is a bracket for that......love the brand and wanted to get a nostalgic model thanks for the info
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Member
Joined: Mar 2024
Posts: 80
Likes: 33
2015 ml63 amg (w166/m157) | 2015 g550 (w463/m273)
I just bought my 2002 G500 last June. PO took good care of the vehicle, but as both Gazam and Alexie emphasized, rust is the main issue with the 20+ year old G wagons. Mine has some rust on it, but mostly on the bottom of door panels.
I did extensive work on my vehicle myself and it is not too bad to work on if you are mechanically inclined to work on the car, by all means, older years are a lot simpler to work on, and M113 engine will last as long as you take good care of it.
It does drive like a solid axle truck, so if you are looking for cushy ride, forget the G. I came from Lexus GX460 and yes, this thing rides like a truck. Ride might slightly contribute to the fact that I have original shocks on mine with 142,000 mi, so I am planning to replace all four shocks this weekend.
Good luck.
I did extensive work on my vehicle myself and it is not too bad to work on if you are mechanically inclined to work on the car, by all means, older years are a lot simpler to work on, and M113 engine will last as long as you take good care of it.
It does drive like a solid axle truck, so if you are looking for cushy ride, forget the G. I came from Lexus GX460 and yes, this thing rides like a truck. Ride might slightly contribute to the fact that I have original shocks on mine with 142,000 mi, so I am planning to replace all four shocks this weekend.
Good luck.
Junior Member
Joined: May 2025
Posts: 63
Likes: 11
2002 G500
@SilverG500, how come you switched from gx460 to g500. that seems like big change. how does g500 compare to gx460? what you like about g500 vs gx460? regrets about switching to g500?
I wanted to get G wagon purely due to the uniqueness, history, and it is a G WAGON. Honestly, I love the g wagon, due to the fact that you can tell the built quality, materials used, and heavy duty design.
Do I regret switching? I don't think I had any thoughts on regrets, but some convenience features (like remote start), I do miss.
Last edited by SilverG500; Feb 17, 2026 at 11:32 AM.
Member
Joined: Mar 2024
Posts: 80
Likes: 33
2015 ml63 amg (w166/m157) | 2015 g550 (w463/m273)
GX460 is truly everyday driving, comfortable, and reliable SUV. But it is a just ordinary SUV that I see 8-10 of them on the street everyday. i am not a big off roading person, and I am sure GX is capable off roading vehicle, but was getting to the point "boring".
I wanted to get G wagon purely due to the uniqueness, history, and it is a G WAGON. Honestly, I love the g wagon, due to the fact that you can tell the built quality, materials used, and heavy duty design.
Do I regret switching? I don't think I had any thoughts on regrets, but some convenience features (like remote start), I do miss.
I wanted to get G wagon purely due to the uniqueness, history, and it is a G WAGON. Honestly, I love the g wagon, due to the fact that you can tell the built quality, materials used, and heavy duty design.
Do I regret switching? I don't think I had any thoughts on regrets, but some convenience features (like remote start), I do miss.
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 392
Likes: 18
From: Nashville, TN
2013 G550
I have a 2013 G550. I have done a few audio and AMG upgrades to it and really like it. I also have a 97 Defender. It has some rust but there's a difference between some rust and rusted out. Depending on your budget, rust at the bottom of the doors might be acceptable. Good Luck
Member
Joined: Sep 2023
Posts: 97
Likes: 12
2023 s580
GX460 is truly everyday driving, comfortable, and reliable SUV. But it is a just ordinary SUV that I see 8-10 of them on the street everyday. i am not a big off roading person, and I am sure GX is capable off roading vehicle, but was getting to the point "boring".
I wanted to get G wagon purely due to the uniqueness, history, and it is a G WAGON. Honestly, I love the g wagon, due to the fact that you can tell the built quality, materials used, and heavy duty design.
Do I regret switching? I don't think I had any thoughts on regrets, but some convenience features (like remote start), I do miss.
I wanted to get G wagon purely due to the uniqueness, history, and it is a G WAGON. Honestly, I love the g wagon, due to the fact that you can tell the built quality, materials used, and heavy duty design.
Do I regret switching? I don't think I had any thoughts on regrets, but some convenience features (like remote start), I do miss.
no soft closing door
No control of rear seats
designed from. 20 years ago
hey I buy a Mercedes and pay cause I’ll
Junior Member
Joined: May 2025
Posts: 63
Likes: 11
2002 G500
quality is garbage!! - It is the built quality and engineering. Started 20+ years ago and not much changed. Proves initial engineering was good to retain.
no soft closing door - Started 20+ years ago as a military/farm usage truck. I don't think this was priority feature
No control of rear seats - This is no S-Class and it is a "Truck".
designed from. 20 years ago - Yes, retains pretty much same body style and prominent engineering from the start. Doesn't this prove something?
hey I buy a Mercedes and pay cause I’ll
no soft closing door - Started 20+ years ago as a military/farm usage truck. I don't think this was priority feature
No control of rear seats - This is no S-Class and it is a "Truck".
designed from. 20 years ago - Yes, retains pretty much same body style and prominent engineering from the start. Doesn't this prove something?
hey I buy a Mercedes and pay cause I’ll
